Traditional mowing-chester/fairfield/YO

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is soliciting bids for a comprehensive traditional mowing contract covering Chester, Fairfield, and York Counties through Solicitation Number 5400026263. The procurement involves routine maintenance services for Interstate, Primary, and Secondary routes, encompassing mowing of shoulders, medians, interchanges, areas around signs and structures, guardrails, ditches, and bridges. The contract requires contractors to perform mowing on approximately 212,981.20 total acres over a five-year period, with annual quantities including 31,727.10 acres for Interstate routine mowing, 82,365.90 acres for Primary routine mowing, and 97,888.20 acres for Secondary routine mowing. Mandatory qualifications include possessing a minimum of 20 tractors with at least 75 horsepower PTO output, comprehensive insurance coverage, and strict adherence to SCDOT specifications regarding mowing heights, debris management, and work zone safety. A mandatory pre-bid conference was scheduled for December 6, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. at SCDOT Headquarters, with written questions due by December 7, 2023, at 2:30 P.M. Sealed bids were required by January 11, 2024, at 2:30 P.M., with award notification originally planned for February 14, 2024, though subsequent notices indicate the award date has been extended.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or minority-owned businesses. Mowing activities are restricted to the period between April 1 and November 15 annually, with exceptions for ditch and bridge mowing. The total estimated five-year contract value is approximately $23.9 million, with individual lot values varying significantly across different route types and mowing categories. Contractors must submit a labor and material payment bond equal to the total annual contract value within ten days of contract execution. Non-compliance with contract terms can result in non-refundable deductions ranging from $500 to $1,000 per offense, plus additional repair costs for property damage. The contract structure includes an initial one-year term with four potential one-year renewal options, allowing for a maximum contract period of five years. While no incumbent vendor information is provided, the comprehensive documentation suggests a structured, methodical approach to procuring ongoing roadway maintenance services across multiple South Carolina counties.